Best choice for aftermarkey TPMS?

[kevfra]

I have a six wheel C and want to have installed TPMS. Guess the labor alone will set me back $150 or so just dismount and install the transmitters. So I want to buy a good system that will allow me to see the pressure on all six tires. What has been the best choice for this?

Thanks!

[Housted]

TST and metal valve stems for me and no I did not re balance the tires. 🙂

Housted

[67Cutlass]

wmoses wrote:
TST 507s as well. No balancing and NO metal stems needed if you do this:





The rubber sleeve is cut from an appropriate piece (correct inner diameter) of fuel line hose. The marks on the rim were caused before installing the sleeves, and after only 40 miles of driving.

Recent 3800 mile trip attests to the success of this. Worked perfectly, and to the OP - no installation costs. I can also replace the battery on these sensors.

I've been using the TST 507 for over three years. Our toad is a 2006 Chevy HHR that has rubber valve stems. No problems with about 20,000 miles of towing.

I've also removed the outer security shell from all sensors. Makes for a little less weight an a smaller sensor footprint.

[Ron3rd]

I'm not even sure there is a "best" TPMS system out there anymore. Lots of new players in the game and it seems like they all work fine. Some have advantages and disadvantages and different features. Years ago it was mostly TST and Pressure Pro, but now Tireminder and others are offering good stuff.

[Jerry0312]

I have used Pressure Pro in the past with good results. I replaced that with the Tire Tracker system from TechnoRv and have been very satisfied with the Tire Tracker as well. Tire tracker is a little less expensive and performed with no issues for the last several months. Highly recommend Tire Tracker.

[Ron3rd]

The reasoning behind TPMS is peace of mind, especially with the cheap tires nowadays. I've had a flat twice and did not feel anything both times. You might also be able to save a tire if you get a slow leak, say by picking up a nail. Tires flapping around on a trailer can do a lot of damage before you get it to the side of the road. A lot of folks drive for many years and never have any problems, but that's just my 2 cents. Love my TST system btw.

[fj12ryder]

wintersun wrote:
Why do you want to know the pressure on all 6 wheels all the time? I have only been driving trucks and pulling trailers for 40 plus years and I can tell at a glance if there is a serious problem with one of the tires.

I have a portable air compressor and two tire gauges so I can cross check pressure and adjust it from time to time. But on trips of thousands of miles the pressure goes up if it is hotter outside or after 30 minutes on the highway and it goes down with cooler temps or changes in elevation, and seeing this on a digital display does not change anything.

With trailers I have had problems with wheel bearings or with tire failures but never with a tire loosing air rapidly and my not being able to see that this was happening.

TPMS are federally mandated not to increase driver safety but to improve fuel economy as so many drivers fail to monitor the amount of air in their tires. I understand the logic in this but there is no way I would spend the money to do a retrofit on a vehicle that did not have them.

Be aware that each time you have the tires rotated they need to be reset/trained to keep the readings accurate. Three out of four times on my truck the tire shop guy forgets to do this.

Pooh.

[Popsie]

The outside wheels on my rear duals have a steel valve stem that leaves the wheel on the outside, and bends in so that the valve (and inflating and deflating) is done between the two wheels with an air chuck that bends 180 degrees back to mate with the schrader valve.

Looking at the pictures in this thread, it seems like the pressure sender would interfere with inflating my outer rear dual tires.

What's up?

[wintersun]

Why do you want to know the pressure on all 6 wheels all the time? I have only been driving trucks and pulling trailers for 40 plus years and I can tell at a glance if there is a serious problem with one of the tires.

I have a portable air compressor and two tire gauges so I can cross check pressure and adjust it from time to time. But on trips of thousands of miles the pressure goes up if it is hotter outside or after 30 minutes on the highway and it goes down with cooler temps or changes in elevation, and seeing this on a digital display does not change anything.

With trailers I have had problems with wheel bearings or with tire failures but never with a tire loosing air rapidly and my not being able to see that this was happening.

TPMS are federally mandated not to increase driver safety but to improve fuel economy as so many drivers fail to monitor the amount of air in their tires. I understand the logic in this but there is no way I would spend the money to do a retrofit on a vehicle that did not have them.

Be aware that each time you have the tires rotated they need to be reset/trained to keep the readings accurate. Three out of four times on my truck the tire shop guy forgets to do this.

[wmoses]

TST 507s as well. No balancing and NO metal stems needed if you do this:





The rubber sleeve is cut from an appropriate piece (correct inner diameter) of fuel line hose. The marks on the rim were caused before installing the sleeves, and after only 40 miles of driving.

Recent 3800 mile trip attests to the success of this. Worked perfectly, and to the OP - no installation costs. I can also replace the battery on these sensors.

[mda]

TST here also. Make sure metal valve stems!

[OldGreaser]

I've had good success with TST. There might be better systems because this is the only one I've used, but let me share what happened. I had a 507 system stolen, so I bought a replacement system from PPL Motorhomes for a good price. The new system is slightly different in that I can change the sensor batteries myself when needed. I got the new system up and running but it was 'flakey'. I called the service line at TST and they did the following:

1- made correct diagnosis (my old repeater was not compatible).
2- shipped me a new repeater for a good price.
3- sent me a replacement unit and a replacement sensor in case the repeater was not the problem. 'Gentlemen's agreement' is for me to either send back defective parts and consider it warranty or send back the good parts if I found I did not need them. They did this because I was headed out for a pretty major trip and wanted to be sure the system was working for me.

I didn't provide any proof of purchase or anything. It turns out the new repeater solved all problems and I will be getting home this week, at which time I will send back the new unused parts.

I remain impressed with TST service.

OG....

[Popsie]

Do you have to put metal valve stems on your toad's tires too?

[fj12ryder]

I'm very happy with the TST that we use. It does take a while when first turned on to register all the sensors. We have the metal valve stems, and didn't need a repeater for our 40' toyhauler.

[RCMAN46]

Before I started using balance beads I would go to my local tire shop and purchase 1/4 ounce tire weights and install them directly across from the valve stem to compensate for the weight of the TPMS sensor.